please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Well I returned to the king's head on a Friday night about a month after my last visit below. Things have certainly improved on the service front. Staff friendly, good beers. Gets a thumbs up.
|
Went in with 3 other friends on Monday evening after a customer from the pub I work in recommended it. We went in and were greeted by a fairly sullen bar maid who asked me and my boyfriend for ID. As a barmaid myself I had no problem with this as we are both over 21. My other friends who are 23 and 24 were not asked and we went to sit down in their nice spacious beer garden. We had a good time even ordering more drinks from a man who i assume is the landlord (who didn't ID me). All went well til the end of the evening... a couple of other mates came in to find us and were told the pub was closed. They explained that they didn't want drinks they were just looking for us, at which point the landlord said it was fine and just to go through. He then came outside and began rudely telling us that we were not to come back without ID and that he would definitely of ID'ed my friend to which he rudely pointed. We all went to get our ID out to show him we were all over 18 but he said it was too late and not to bother! I explained that I had already been ID'ed and he seemed shocked and asked me who by. I seriously felt that we were made to feel sincerely unwelcome at this pub as we were young. We were made to feel like we had done something wrong despite the fact that we were all of age and it was his misfailings not to ID us not ours! We were not rowdy, never rude and actually put quite a lot of money behind his pub and his rude lecture at the end has guaranteed that I will never go back to this pub again, which is a shame because me and my boyfriend were planning on getting a meal there. For the over 30's this is a nice pub with a lovely refurb. for the under 30's I wouldn't bother because you will be made to feel unwelcome, whether or not you have ID or not!
|
Popped for some post work beers and the football on Friday evening. The refurb has pretty drastically changed the look of the place. Compared to other pubs in Guildford it's ended up somewhere between the Drummond and the Whitehouse. A farily large selection of international beers are now available, including a pretty good range of Belgian beers. Thankfully, the pub is still in the hands of Fullers and so there's plenty of good ales on tap.
Unfortuantely there are evidently teething problems. The majority of the staff working clearly had no experience of working in a pub, aside from a couple of very hardworking supervisors! We ordered food (you have to ask for a menu) which was pretty decent quality when it eventally arrived, unfortunately spread out over about an hour.
I shall be giving it a couple of weeks/months before trying the place again, and hopefully the staff will have found their feet by then as the new King's Head has a lot of potential.
|
It is being refurbished and shall open some time in Mid August. I did not see it needing a refurbishment as was fine a while ago - hopefully it shall improve some more! It can surely only be better than the Stoke over the road.
|
Visited Monday afternoon this week, good local boozer, beer in good condition, friendly landlord and nice area out the back to sit in the sun, full marks all round.
|
A quick visit and a good visit. The ascot golden ale was on and tasted very good. This pub was quiet on a Friday afternoon, but an enjoyable enough venture.
|
Fullers pub....well kept beers...good grub...good old fashioned boozer...top marks
|
This is in very man ways an excellent and warm pub. Excellent place to go for the winter as it does feel pretty comfortable. The Pride was on fine form during a recent visit and the place did seem fairly popular with the locals. Staff were efficent, apart from one member! But it is nearly Christmas.
|
Good old fashioned boozer with cosy atmosphere. As a habit I always make my first pint Pride in Fuller's pubs, because if they can't get that right....happy to say fine pint, didn't eat but all in all nice visit. Smoking area heated if that's your thing and car-park aswell so rather tempting to leave the car and have another pint! Definately recommend, and will go back to try food. Loads of locals/regulars who were all welcoming not intimidating which was nice. Telly aswell though don't know if they show sport. 8/10
|
visited today - ate here and also sampled some of Fullers' finest! Really nice warm atmosphere - the coal fires had been stoked up and made it look and feel even better than it was! Outside area looked great - even in the rain - and the Xmas decs were subtle and non too imposing. Good mixed crowd - and very helpful, polite and friendly team. Want to visit again soon to see how the Quiz Night is and maybe Gavin with his guitar on Dec 19th too!
|
Stay in Guildford a couple of nights a week and stumbled into this one (sober when I stumbled in).
Beer is very well kept, good locals, staff friendly with a sense of humour.
Flat screen TV showing sports however the place retains it's tradional pub look and feel.
Good heated smoking area with big umbrellas to keep you dry.
All in all a very comfortable pub with quality Fullers beers.
Oh, nice barmaids :-)
|
Fab Fullers pub.
|
Anyfing by Fullers is gd value.
|
Its pretty gd right now...
Real ales of ESB, Discovery, Pride, Chiswick and Honey Dew - also selection of bottled beers.
ESB not as good as others. 10/10
|
What has happened to the beer here? Visited the other night and ESB, Honey Dew and London Pride all did not taste good. Or have Fullers just gone downhill. Not sure its worth drinking the Fullers ale sometimes. This still has a friendly atmosphere and is a good pub and I intend to eat out here fairly soon.
|
An enjoyable atmosphere and larger than it appears from the outside so easy enough to hide away in a corner and sample some of the offerings from Fullers.
|
Really nice pub with a really bubbley young lady behind the bar, i have to say the steak pie was scrummy and it was so relaxing by the roaring log fire, i will definatley re visit!!
Ria66 - 28 Oct 2008 22:57 |
There are conflicting views here about the King's Head, what I will say is over the years its been a tremendous pub. I am sure the new people in charge are doing their best. Some people really are too quick to judge, give it time my friends.
|
Actually "sensible pub reviewer" i am no such lady, i have recently moved back to the area and these "local" pubs in the area are the only ones that i have been back to and found that this one was the only one that i liked, last time i checked this website is for writing reviews and that is what i have done and presume that is the reason you are on it too. and "surrey pub man" you wouldn't know a decent pub if you head butted the bar. I am more than happy to be a or become a local here even tho i am not i felt very welcoming
|
So new Barlady and Barman take over at Kings Head. You are the lady in question DiscoBird, interesting how you should dismiss the other 3 most local pubs and put a good review of Kings Head. I'm with SurreyPubMan on this one.
|
Thanks for the post DiscoBird, to be honest this place was poor on previous visit, and today well it was not worthwhile either.
It has turned into something of a scruffy locals pub, very much geared towards the middle-aged man. Don't expect to be welcomed here if your not a local!
Very disappointed as this used to be a good pub and sells Fullers beer. Nevermind, perhaps The Royal Oak is better.
Last visit for a while...
|
used to drink here a long time ago and have been going back in more and more lately, friendly staff, new landlord & landlady(it was needed)well kept beer and welcoming locals equals great pulling power to me, also food seems to have improved since the last time i was here.
|
I'd agree with Jonny. Staff should wake up!
Do you mean Kronunberg 1664? I'm not sure why people would drink this here when there are fine pints of Fullers, lager drinker I expect.
Good to see a pub actually bringing a Dartboard in rather than the reverse.
|
Guildfords best pub, selling Guildfords best 1664!
Always a good atmosphere, only negative thing, staff can sometimes be a bit lethargic.
Jon
|
Always used to be Guildford's best pub and on a recent tour of some of the town's alehouses, it's still up there. Superior Fuller's pub with a pleasingly rambling interior.
|
Still an excellent pub with the usual mixture of Fullers drinks. Now has a dartboard too.
anonymous - 25 Apr 2008 15:14 |
This i would say is the best pub within walking distance of Guildford and far better than most places in the town by a long way.Its clean well looked after beers are limited yes as its a Fullers outlet but well kept,not a place i would take anyone for a meal but would for a drink.
|
Hurrah for a ‘proper’ pub – sadly all too rare amidst the numerous circuit pubs/bars that are the Guildford drinking scene. Although a tied pub (therefore few/no guest ales?), the Fullers ales on tap are always more than capably kept and served by the ever approachable staff. Additionally, you get a good mixture of varied regulars and ‘passers by’. Always worth a visit. Long may this continue.Shame the pool table went in the ‘recent’ refurbishment though (:-)
|
We came here to watch the second half of the FA Cup final (19 May). Easily less busy than the Stoke and I sensibly got a round in before the half time whistle, so was served promptly. 2 Magners, a pint of London pride and a vodka coke came to £12.25, so make what you want from that if anything about the prices of drinksWe were in the centre of the pub, so could comfortably see both large TV screens.
Once the (YAWN) match had finished, we sat out in the decent beer garden which was enjoyable soaking up the evening summer sun till just before 7. I would certainly come here again to drink in the beer garden and to watch televised footy.
|
I love the Sunday Roast!!!!
|
Great pub reasonable for food good if you like Fuller`s ales which are kept very well.
|
Still the best pub in Guildford. Took my parents there on Saturday for food and they loved it.
Went there again later on and it was the landlord and landlady's leaving do. They had live music (Gavin and His Guitar?) and the place was packed. I just hope whoever takes it over can keep up the high standards.
|
Not a bad place to eat & drink
|
BEEN TO THIS PUB ON THREE TIMES FOR LUNCH. THE FOOD IS THE BEST PUB FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD. GREAT ROAST DINNERS. I LOVE LOTS OF GRAVY SO WHEN ASKED FOR EXTRA THEY BROUGHT A HUGE GRAVY BOAT FULL TO THE BRIM. FANTASTIC. YUM YUM
anonymous - 26 May 2006 16:39 |
Really enjoy this pub, probably one of the last 'real' pubs in central Guildford. Lovely terraced garden , great in the summer, and as far as i'm aware is being revamped for this years sunny days....! Always worth a visit, one of my favourites.
|
Excellent pub with well kept Fuller's ales. The Chiswick and London Pride are both fantastic. I think they also have a guest ale.
The food is top notch pub grub - e.g. gourmet burgers, homemade chilli con carne - very reasonable prices too. Nice atmosphere too: good mix of people and nicely busy on weeknights. The bar staff are efficient and friendly and the landlady is gorgeous!
There is a big TV but it's not the best place to watch football in. However, if that's what you want you're probably better off in some lager pit anyway.
I would give it 10 out of 10 if they had a no smoking policy.
|
Good pub! Reasonably price with pretty good food. Recently been redecorated. Has a nice beer garden with heaters, took the pool table away though...shame.
|
Good range of beers, and a big bar. Not enough seating inside so best in the summer. Good Sunday grub as I remember, but a bit studenty/college on a week night. I am sure the lasttime I was there the most asked question was "What did you get in your A Levels" Huh Bothered !
|
Gigantic easy access urinals are a plus for the bladdered. Fine selection of tasty miserible git ale including Lion's Pride and the seasonal Morris Dance.
|
Not the best pub for watching football in. The view is likely to be rather blocked. Good outside sitting area. Theres very little pressure on buying extra drinks
|
You have to be careful with this pub - it has a habit of being quiet! Good beer though as it is a Fuller's pub
Will - 14 Aug 2004 22:34 |
This is a good place. They often serve strawberries and cream in the summer as well, personally i reckon 5pm on a Wednesday is the best time to get a drink here.
|
Contrary to Sally's comments I was shocked to discover one of the local lushes engaged in an active petitioning campaign to reinstate the entry of said lushes 4 legged friend into the pub.
Needless to say, dog friendly or not, it remains a great local with the house double whiskeys and mixer tremendous value at only £2.40.
Combine that with their regular weekly pub quiz normally featuring an addled quiz master and you have an interesting opportunity for confusion and bewilderment!
Mortonian - 31 Mar 2004 11:39 |
Superb atmosphere especially when Greg and his pals are singing. Cheerful bar staff, including Ed who will dress up to please the customers (most recently a Tutu - pink!!) and of course there is the Ali G lookalike.
Genuinely friendly local pub where you can take your dog for a pint too.
Good food and beer, very pretty garden. Parking too!
Sally - 1 Feb 2003 11:08 |
This is probably my favourite pub in the world. I spend much of my time here quaffing pints of Guinness with my friends. Some of the regulars are very funny. The Spaniard and Dark Lord can be found there most evenings. Be wary if you meet them as they get quite aggressive after too many beers. At 9pm Super Alan Cooper turns up and everyone sing his name as he walks through the door! Stella Steve, The Area Manager, is a great bloke. He drinks on average 12 pints of Stella a day. He's got quite a cult following in the area!
Greg - 17 Oct 2002 13:27 |
Lovely old fashioned, low cellinged pub with a nice sized beer garden. Serving superb ale and pub grub.
Jenny Borton - 17 May 2002 13:57 |
